One constituency remained undeclared as the Northern Ireland Assembly reached its conclusion.

Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster has expressed confidence she will be returned as Northern Ireland’s first minister.

I realise that my writing on the Irish political system to date has been pretty damning.

It is hard to imagine that things could get any worse for the Government when it comes to its handling of Irish Water.

There remains a lack of a coherent, credible, non-establishment, political alternative that can represent the public mood for change, writes Rory Hearne

Plan to build 1,700 homes by 2017 ‘less than 2% of a housing waiting list of over 100,000 households’

WHEN Environment Minister Alan Kelly announced the Government’s new social housing strategy last November, it was given a broad welcome, that at last something was being done about our homeless crisis and the endless housing lists.

The cost to the taxpayer of sending a select number of senior local government officials to an exclusive management course at Harvard University tops €315,000 for the past seven years, figures show.

Anti-water-charge protesters are to take to the streets of towns of cities in a series of co-ordinated demonstrations by local groups.

TDs such as Stephen Donnelly and groups like People Before Profit look set for roles in any new government, writes Adrian Kavanagh

Senior Ministers will meet again today to discuss the ongoing water charges controversy.

If Tánaiste Joan Burton is not regretting her "expensive phones" comment yet, she may well be this morning.

A sales pitch of "hats, flags, whistles, and bow-ties" blared out from the hawkers in front of Bishop Lucey Park.

A housing crisis in a country with lots of vacant homes. It would seem a joke if it were not so serious.

Independent candidates from none of the established parties were among the biggest winners in the local elections, attracting the greatest share of the vote last night.

A series of opinion polls published in the weeks leading up to yesterday’s elections were a source of further bad news for the government parties, whose support levels had already slumped significantly in the years after the 2011 General Elections.

Independent TDs and senators received some €878,389 in unvouched and untaxed allowances on top of their salaries last year.

The country's six biggest political parties received almost €13m in taxpayer funding last year.

Europe must be seen as a social, and not just an economic project by those elected to the European Parliament next month, an independent thinktank has said.

The latest anti-water meter campaigners in Cork have defended their right to protest after angry exchanges with some of their neighbours yesterday.

Post-bailout Ireland faces a raft of challenges, including a mortgage crisis, a lack of lending for businesses, health cuts and patchy support for the unemployed.

Taxpayers forked out nearly €14m to fund political parties last year, new figures reveal.

The Standards in Public Office Commission is to refer The Workers Party, The Socialist Workers Party and the People Before Profit Alliance to the gardaí for failing to disclose any donations made to them.

THERE is no greater challenge facing the country over the next few years than tackling the mortgage debt crisis.

About 200 people turned out for a “pre-budget” protest in Waterford city at the weekend.

Organisers of yesterday's anti-austerity rally in Dublin have condemned remarks made by the President of SIPTU about the "fascist behaviour" of a section of the crowd.

A protest against planned HSE cuts to home help and home care packages has ended in Dublin.

Health Minister Dr James Reilly is being urged to intervene as a HSE cost-cutting plan threatens to close a respite unit in Dublin which serves people with HIV/AIDS.

Legal advice is being sought on the use of travel allowances by TD's Joe Higgins and Clare Daly.

The Government is being warned that the opposition to water charges is going to be "enormous".

The referendum on tighter EU budget rules should be used to secure a reduction on Ireland’s massive debt burden, according to Independent TD Shane Ross.

ANY homeowners refusing to pay the planned annual €100 household charge will not be able to dispose of their property until they stump up whatever they owe.

The latest in a series of protests against the downgrading of A&E services at Loughlinstown Hospital in south Co Dublin takes place today.

THE governor of Mountjoy women’s prison has launched an investigation into “unauthorised” phone contact by Teresa Treacy, the 65-year-old jailed for refusing the ESB access to her land.

TWO protests against austerity measures will greet the Government upon the resumption of the Dáil today.

THE Government cannot guarantee its controversial €100 across-the-board annual household charge will not rise further — less than 24 hours after revealing the new short-term tax.

A new dress code for the Dáil has been branded 'pathetic' by one TD this morning.

Six candidates are contesting the June 9 Belfast West Commons by-election to choose a successor to Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams.

The failed Ulster Unionist and Conservative Party pact threw more money at the British general election than any of its opponents, it has been confirmed.

A new alliance of political parties has threatened today to embark on a campaign of sustained resistance on the streets to force the Government out of office.

INDEPENDENT Senator Rónán Mullen has harshly criticised a Seanad committee for associating his name with three other senators being investigated over their expenses.

Senator Ronán Mullen has written to the chairman of the Select Committee on Members Interests to express his 'extreme concern' about being included in an investigation by the Seanad group.

FEAR was the major factor in the resounding Yes vote, anti-Lisbon campaigners have claimed.